Avocadoes and Weight Loss in Wellington Florida

Losing weight is one of the most difficult tasks a person can take on. Weight loss isn’t just about “dieting”, it is about lifestyle changes. Certainly exercise and healthier eating are big parts of a weight loss journey, but so are will power, persistence, and keeping the weight off. Not to mention different people have gained weighted for different reason therefore there is no “cookie cutter” approach to weight loss. Not to mention weight gain might be caused by medical conditions, which presents a whole new set of difficulties in shedding the extra pounds.

Here at VIP Medical Weight Loss in Wellington, Florida, we are well aware that different circumstances lead to weight gain thus varying solutions are necessary to help people lose weight. This Wellington weight loss program is physician supervised, meaning that a medical professional will be involved with each person’s weight loss program. Our doctors, after an initial consult, help patients develop a customized weight loss plan that suits each person’s lifestyle but helps people to develop the habits they need to shift to in order to keep the weight off.

By customizing weight loss plans to a person’s lifestyle, this means creating a plan that will be more feasible for patients to follow instead of being an outright “shock to the system”. In addition to these specialized food plans, we also offer exercise plans and mental health assistance. While some people are more successful in losing weight on their own, others have greater success with group support. Not only do we specialize in personalized weight loss plans, we make sure they are equally realistic.

A Secret Superfood

When it comes to weight loss, please do not use the word “diet”. Diets, especially fad diets, are short-term solutions to long-term health problems such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other weight-related conditions. Healthy eating, whether or not you are looking to lose weight, is something everyone should strive for. This is especially relevant in today’s society where being overweight and the conditions that come with it have presented an alarming health crisis.

When it comes to “superfoods”, there is one in particular that might surprise people: the avocado. You have most likely heard of “good fats”, like essential fatty acids such as omega 3s. Well avocadoes are packed with oleic acid, a compound found in the fruit’s monounsaturated fats or MUFAs. These healthy fats can help suppress appetite and melt body fat, not to mention are packed with fiber and protein. Avocadoes can actually be considered more of a fat than a fruit since each one contains 29 grams of fat, but 20 of those grams are MUFAs.

Most people (incorrectly) believe that individuals get “fat” by eating fat. As discussed above, all fats are not created equal. Different fatty acids affect whether a person loses or gains weight. Putting these fatty acids into one category does people a tremendous disservice as fats that should be consumed are shunned when they could in fact aid in weight loss. Avocadoes are rich sources of beneficial fatty acids thus should be consumed as part of any health eating plan. The plentiful MUFAs in this creamy fruit are a league apart from harmful hydrogenated and trans fats found in margarine, vegetable shortening, and scores of processed foods. Refined carbohydrates have also been shown to be weight gain triggers, but these are the exact opposite of “good” carbs found in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Sure a serving of boiled potatoes or sautéed squash contain carbs, but these are healthy carbs that the body needs instead of refined starch like white bread.

Just like “good versus bad” carbs, you have healthy versus dangerous fats. Oleic acid, the primary MUFA in avocadoes, is much more likely to be utilized by the body as continuously released, slow burning energy. This “friendly fat” has also been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and glycemic control, major factors in weight gain and developing diabetes. If these potential benefits aren’t impressive enough, a diet high in omega-9 fats (MUFAs) have been shown to possibly reduce blood levels of damaging low-density lipoprotein cholesterol while raising “good” high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

A Nutritional Powerhouse

Omega-9 fats, especially when consumed with leafy greens and/or vegetables high in antioxidants, can significantly improve the absorption of the nutrients in these other foods. For example, consuming a salad containing spinach, butternut squash, and avocado chunks means that antioxidants and fat-soluble vitamins (such as A, E, and K) are more effective absorbed into the body. This improved absorption can also help to reduce hunger. When people are hungry they eat thus might be consuming too many calories and sabotaging their weight loss efforts. When your body receives the nutrients it needs, it has had enough “fuel” therefore will not generate feelings of hunger. By eating healthy foods, a person will be less likely to feel hungry shortly after eating, thus more likely to be successful when it comes to losing weight.